Nurmagomedov (25-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC) is now set to face UFC featherweight champ Max Holloway (19-3 MMA, 15-3 UFC) for the undisputed lightweight title, which will be stripped from current champ Conor McGregor. Ferguson has been stripped of the interim title he won this past October by beating Kevin Lee at UFC 216.

In a social media post, Ferguson said he was “hurt, frustrated, angry and in disbelief” following the accident and apologized to Nurmagomedov, his team, fans, and the UFC.

Ferguson and Nurmagomedov were first paired for The Ultimate Fighter 22 Finale in December 2015. Nurmagomedov suffered a rib injury and was forced to withdraw. Five months later, the two were scheduled to meet at UFC on FOX 18, but Ferguson fell ill and was forced to withdraw after doctors found fluid in his lungs.